Men's Basketball

KU hoops recruit Bragg plans to attend Late Night

By Staff Reports

Kansas University basketball recruiting.

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Bragg set for Late Night

Another top recruit in the Class of 2015 plans to experience Kansas University's Late Night in the Phog on Oct. 10, according to Rivals.com. Carlton Bragg, a 6-9 power forward from Cleveland (Villa Angela-St. Joseph) said he will attend the annual season kickoff event on the heels of 7-footer Stephen Zimmerman (No. 7 senior in the country) confirming the same.

Bragg, Rivals’ No. 9-ranked senior, told Zagsblog he will cut his list of schools to five on Sept. 1, and Illinois, Kentucky and KU will occupy three of those spots.

Diallo schedules visits

Cheick Diallo, a 6-9 KU basketball recruiting target, has planned two official visits — neither to Kansas yet — according to Zagsblog.com.

A five-star senior power forward ranked No. 5 nationally by Rivals, Diallo will take official visits to Iowa State and St. John’s this fall. Zagsblog reported the senior from Our Savior New American, in Centereach, New York, plans to visit KU, too, but no date has been set.

Kansas is said to be among his top five schools, and he already has been to Iowa State, Pittsburgh and Kentucky for unofficial visits.

Diallo averaged 16.4 points and 7.7 rebounds for with Team Scan at the recent Peach Jam showcase, but Zagsblog said the big man will sit out the remainder of July to rest and rehab his back.

Stone announcing early

The No. 6 senior in the nation, 6-10 center Diamond Stone, hasn’t picked which school to attend, but has decided to announce his choice on Nov. 12, the first day of the NCAA early signing period, according to a report from Evan Daniels for Scout.com.

Stone, from Milwaukee, is said to be considering Wisconsin, Kentucky, Connecticut, Duke, UCLA, Kansas and others.

Reportedly, No. 2 recruit Malik Newman, a 6-3 guard out of Jackson, Mississippi, and Stone have talked about signing with the same program. KU and UConn are considered possible destinations for the combo.

Doesn't seem like a good option for most top talent. Million dollar payday with inferior coaching vs. a year with Larry Brown. Which option optimizes my NBA draft and career opportunities? Unless I have baggage that generates an NCAA inquiry or immediate financial need, playing a year aboad doesn't seem like a viable option.

Suzi, Mudiay did not voluntarily choose to play overseas. He did not academically qualify at SMU which left him with 3 options, sit out and enter the NBA draft next year, go to a JuCo and get academically eligible, or sign a professional contact with someone other than the NBA. He chose the immediate money of playing professionally outside of the NBA and then entering the NBA draft next year. What will help Mudiay in China is that there is an American already on the team that should help adjust to the culture, and someone who has played in the NBA that can help Mudiay with areas of his game that need improvement. I don't know what kind of playing time Mudiay will get over there, bit I suspect he'll have an easier time of it than Brandon Jennings did.

Suzi - I don't think so. What it does do, though, is demonstrate that the Jay Bilas narrative is wildly incorrect. These kids have choices. They are not "slaves" to the system, and they do not have to play college basketball. They choose college basketball because the value of college basketball to the athlete is significant as it is currently structured.

Bilas, contrary to prevalent myth, does NOT argue that the kids don't have OPTIONS. But if a kid enters the system, it is unfair to the kid. This is not to say there's not value in attending college. There is. But the value they receive for what they produce is embarrassingly disproportionate. Setting the rest of the season aside, the March tournament generates more money than the Super Bowl. Its the truth, so please refrain from attempting to apply lipstick to any and all porcine livestock. Youre wrong.

Not really drama. My point was this might be the start of a trend with OAD players. For the most part, that type of player wants a BBall degree. Given the option what would most pick...one year in college with a million dollar insurance policy or one year overseas with a million dollar paycheck.

For one thing, Brett, not all college athletes are good enough to play professionally overseas or in the D-league. The vast majority of them ARENT! So they choose to enter the system because at least they get an education for their participation. Again, there is VALUE in that. But again, money is made off of them disproportionately. But you speak wrong-headedly, as if all of these players can go elsewhere.

People who work in sweat shops have little opportunity to go elsewhere for employment, so they subject themselves to an unfair system so they can get some value. But the value they get is not in line with what they produce. While Im not saying the working conditions of a sweat shop and participation in NCAA basketball are the same, the principle IS! And the principle is this: that just because you agree to participate in a program (because your options are present elsewhere but very limited), does NOT equate with fair treatment or a perfect system. The NCAA profiteers off of these players, and they should receive more for their efforts. That is why there is such drama.